Did you every wonder why pumpkins have become a symbol of fall or where Jack-o-Lanterns started? In this article I will review some fun history and facts about pumpkins and also share with you some of my fall photographs. Fall is my favorite season!
Pumpkins a Symbol of Autumn
A wonderful combination of traditions, history, folklore and the colors of
the season joined together to make pumpkins a favorite symbol of the autumn
season. Here is a bit of history of how this came to be a time-honored
tradition in the USA.
- 1. Pumpkins were a harvest crop back to the days of early America. Indigenous people grew them and other winter squashes as an important food source. They were harvested in the fall and became a natural part of the autumn season.
- 2. The early American settlers learned about pumpkins and other native American foods and became familiar with their uses. They used them in pies, soups and other dishes. As harvest festivals and Thanksgiving traditions became part of the American scene the abundance of pumpkins in the fall harvest became part of the face of fall.
- 3. Halloween made pumpkins famous. The tradition of carving frightening faces originally came from Irish and Celtic folk customs involving turnips and other root vegetables. When Irish immigrants brought these practices to America they found that the pumpkin was more plentiful and easier to carve. Thus the Pumpkin Jack-O-Lantern was born.
- 4. Soon the pumpkins were seen everywhere for fall. By the 19th and 20th centuries they appeared at autumn celebrations, in advertising and on cards. Their bright orange color, their timing during the harvest season and all the traditions involving pumpkins have made them a favorite of the season. Now everywhere you look in the fall you see pumpkins. There is everything from pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkins in fall decorations and so much more.
Photography on Main Street St. Charles in the Fall
I recently took a photo shoot in downtown St. Charles to photograph all
of the decorations along the store fronts. Here are a few of my
photographs.
Pumpkins on Amazon
Amazon has lots to offer in the way of pumpkin decorations for
fall. Here is a link to their page of pumpkins. Pumpkins for Fall
I have also written a review on fall decorations. Here is a link to
that review.
Pumpkin based Foods
Sam is one of my fellow reviewers who has some delicious food
recipes. Here are two that he wrote using pumpkins.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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What a fun article. I really enjoyed learning about the back-story on why pumpkins, and the Halloween Jack-o-Lantern, have become a standard symbol of Fall. And, of course, your marvelous photos really enhance your story.
ReplyDeleteWonderful article and photos.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that carved pumpkin Jack-o-lanterns were a “spin-off” of traditional Irish and Celtic folk customs involving carving faces on root vegetables! as always, your photos are wonderful.
ReplyDeletePumpkins are just one of those things that I accept as part of our fall traditions & harvest festivals. It was fun reading through the historical facts and looking at your lovely pictures. My favorite pumpkin anything, is pumpkin pie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great article. Never knew they were made famous by Halloween! They are so much fun to carve & paint & you're photos show plain or otherwise, they are so photogenic!
ReplyDeleteDidn't see where to publish my name! (Above) Always enjoy your articles/ reviews & photos!
DeleteThat's an interesting history on Pumpkins, I had no idea of most of this. Your photos are absolutely lovely as they always are. Autumn is my favorite season, and pumpkins are absolutely a part of what makes "Fall" fall.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interesting history on pumpkins. I have been seeing quite a few more this year in my local neighborhood. They certainly add to the ambiance.
ReplyDelete